Van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise, France, 1890

Vincent moved to Auvers-sur-Oise on 20 May 1890. He had been discharged from the asylum in Saint-Rémy a few days earlier and had made plans to come and live closer to his brother, in or near Paris. In Auvers, Vincent would be able to see Theo often and live on his own under a doctor's supervision.

He rented a room in Auberge Ravoux and regularly went to see Dr Paul Gachet, who became a friend. Vincent was highly productive in Auvers; he often went out into the countryside to work in the open air and painted numerous impressive landscapes.

He was in good spirits, and another mental breakdown did not appear to be on the horizon.
Yet Vincent decided to end his life in Auvers.